Friday 27 March 2009

Pretty Paper Things - Present & Correct*


News just in - I haven't got enough lovely paper things to compile the lengthy list of trinckets I would buy or make if left to my own devices. That was until this happy trincketer came across a lovely website from Present&Correct which is full of paper things dreamed up by this south London graphic design collective. My favorite pieces are the Early Birds letter sets, old style A-Z stencils [I'm going to use mine to customise storage boxes] and pretty vintage grocery bags for proud display on a kitchen shelf.

Monday 23 March 2009

High Road House - Chiswick*



I don't know whether it was because it was sunny last weekend or because it's now light when I leave our design studios, but I'm totally obsessed by bright colour and pattern at the moment. I couldn't even drink my favorite latte without being distracted by the bold floor tiles at Chiswick's High Road Brasserie on Sunday. The brassierie interiors are typical Isle Crawford retro modern which seem to be everywhere in London at the moment, but it's the floor that's the standout made up of hundreds of different patterned tiles, how cool : )

Saturday 14 March 2009

Trincket of the Week! - Wrong Woods furniture*


I'm hunting the perfect chest of drawers for my bedroom. While it's not credit-crunch perfect [it costs £2,500 pah!!], in terms of aesthetic, the utilitarian feel of the furniture, with it's fun, cartoon graphic in laminate does fit the current mood. And the acid green, orange and yellow colours feel right for springtime.

The chest of drawers forms part of the ‘Collaborations’ programme designed by British artist Richard Woods and designer Sebastian Wrong, size L1092mm x D508mm x H736mm. Also part of the series are sideboards and wall units. Available in the UK from Established and Sons.

Thursday 12 March 2009

RYANTOWN - handmade tile heaven*























On Sunday, I was at Columbia Road market buying flowers. Instead I came home with a bag of tiles - handmade, cute illustration tiles by Rob Ryan.

If you can scrum past the mele of people at the door, it's well worth the effort. His shop is a white shell which perfectly showcases the colourful, illustrated tiles which sell for £24 each. Or if that sounds like a lot, do what my friend Knowlesy did and enrol at the V&A on a tile design course and digitally print your own!

Tuesday 10 March 2009

TRINCKET PICK OF THE WEEK - Lucy Renshaw*

I was stuck on the Jubilee Line this morning and started thinking about this amazing lamp I saw at the London Design Festival in 2008. It's by a designer called Lucy Renshaw.






















Lucy markets her designs as 'Eclectic Eco'. The bright colours and witty use of materials [the base of the shade is made of clothes pegs!] made me smile. Check out her other designs at www.lucyrenshaw.com.

Monday 9 March 2009

My Bath retreat - Brooke's Gueshouse*


I love London - I have lived here for 10 years. Sometimes though, I need an escape route and recently made that much hankered for escape to Brooke's Guesthouse in Regency Bath. The best thing about this family run guesthouse is that the restored Regency house works beautifully with the shots of modernist furniture placed throughout.

In our room, the Georgian-inspired mirror and upholstery were offset by a shocking blue Eames Eiffel Plastic Armchair. The breakfast room also got the same treatment - a clean, rustic feel brought to life with white Eames EAR Eiffel chairs. The perfect Georgian retreat with some design classics thrown in.







Sunday 8 March 2009

MID CENTURY MODERN SHOW - London 29 March 2009*





















I can't wait for the next Mid Century Modern show at Dulwich college. Which is just as well because by my reckoning I only have to wait 21 days. At the last show I got there at 2pm so all the lovely teak sideboards, Marco Zanuso Lady armchairs and daybed couches had 'Sold' tickets attached to them. This time I will get there earlier, or if I accidentally lie in I can always go for the new Orla Kiely sofa which is heavily inspired by this 50's style and is available from Heals.

Saturday 7 March 2009

GRAPHIC PRINTS - teatowels by Heather Moore*

Today I read about a very cool South African designer called Helen Moore. Her cotton teatowel designs use birds, spoons, leaves, mugs and poppy seeds as graphic motifs in vibrant colours - two key trends for spring 2009. They will be finding a home in my kitchen.

NEISHA CROSLAND - paper your walls!*



This Neisha Crosland Berry Flower wallpaper has been around for a while but its bold colour seems perfect for spring and will cheer me out of this credit crunch, pah.
http://www.neishacrosland.com/

Monday 2 March 2009

PUB INTERIORS - The Commercial, Shoreditch*


Some clever interior designers have reworked The Commercial Tavern in Shoreditch, transforming it into retro-chaotic heaven as if by magic. Upstairs, with it's own bar, has a playful wall made up of cups and saucers.

Sunday 1 March 2009

COLE & SON wallpaper website*


Wallpaper has seen a big revival for the last few seasons. I always want to paper large areas but it's sometimes tricky to visualise. My new favorite website is Cole & Son. One click on your fav paper and, bam - papered room! I love the Tulip Damask style from The Collection of Flowers for it's analogous pink and orange, and the muted retro style of the Charlie Wilson range. http://www.cole-and-son.com